Molly McCann, a UFC fighter, received a $50,000 bonus after her brutal victory over Diana Belbita. The armbar McCann executed was so devastating that Belbita tapped out just one second before the end of the round.
McCann came out strong, unleashing a barrage of punches on Belbita. In contrast, Belbita played it safe, waiting for opportunities to counter-punch. Halfway through the round, McCann scored a takedown, but Belbita quickly got back up. If Belbita had stayed on the ground, she might have had more success, as McCann was dominating the stand-up exchanges. McCann even landed a spinning elbow that dazed Belbita. Eventually, McCann took Belbita down again, mounted her, and delivered a series of elbows.
With only 10 seconds left in the round, McCann secured an armbar that caused Belbita’s arm to pop. It was a buzzer-beater finish. McCann’s victory marked her debut in the strawweight division after spending most of her career in the flyweight division. She expressed her new goal of becoming a world champion in the new weight class.
The win improved McCann’s professional MMA record to 14 wins, including six knockouts, one submission, and seven decisions, with six losses. It also ended her two-fight losing streak, where she was defeated by kimura and armbar submissions.
McCann was not the only fighter to receive a cash bonus. Azat Maksum and Charles Johnson were awarded $50,000 for their thrilling flyweight battle earlier in the preliminary section. Additionally, Randy Brown earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his first-round knockout victory over Muslim Salikhov on the main card.
DANA WHITE’S POWER SLAP RETURNS WITH KNOCKOUT MATCH
Get ready for an action-packed weekend of combat sports as Dana White’s Power Slap makes its highly anticipated return. On Friday, February 9, fans will witness an electrifying headline match between KO Chris and Muniz. This thrilling event will be broadcast live from the prestigious Durange Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is also gearing up for another epic Fight Night event on Saturday, February 10. The main event will feature a clash between middleweights Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer. Brace yourselves for an intense battle inside the octagon.
In addition to the main event, there are several other exciting matchups to look forward to. Dan Ige will go head-to-head with Andre Fili, while Robert Bryczek and Albert Duraev will face off against each other. And let’s not forget about the thrilling showdown between Brad Tavares and Gregory Rodrigues.
The main card on ESPN+ promises to be a spectacle like no other. Michael Johnson will take on Darrius Flowers, and Rodolfo Vieira will collide with Armen Petrosyan. These high-stakes fights are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
So mark your calendars and make sure not to miss out on these exhilarating combat sports events. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and analysis from our expert combat sports correspondent, Alan Dawson.